WIth Vernon Fiddler going down Friday with a leg injury against the Minnesota Wild and Ryan Garbutt still shelved with a busted hand, the Dallas Stars needed another player to fill in on the lower lines for their critical back-to-back series starting today.
Enter Toby Petersen, who has spent the entire season with the Texas Stars after spending most of the past several years in Dallas. He was called up by the Dallas Stars on Saturday and is expected to play today as neither Fiddler or Garbutt will likely be in the lineup.
And it will be a reunion with one of his old teammates - Jaromir Jagr.
"He assisted on my first goal. It was a game-winner in Detroit (December 10, 2000)," Petersen said. "I remember him regardless, but he’ll have a special place in my memory for that. He hasn’t changed much."
Petersen was recalled to Dallas Saturday after Vernon Fiddler suffered a charley horse in Friday night’s 5-3 win over Minnesota. Fiddler is day-to-day and with the Stars needing a 12th forward, a versatile veteran like Petersen seemed to be a good fit.
"That was the thought process behind it," said Stars coach Glen Gulutzan. "He can come up and play and you have confidence in him. It was an easy one for us. It’s just his versatility to play any position, especially that veteran presence and having played so much in the minors, you know you can put him in there. He’s up and ready and he’s got some good pace to him."
Petersen signed a two-way extension with the Stars last season to spend most of his time mentoring the youngsters in the AHL and be available to the big club for moments exactly like this one. His ability to play center as well as both wings will allow for maximum versatility on the fourth line, and it gives the team another player who can take faceoffs.
He's also been reasonably productive with the Texas Stars this season, recording seven goals and 16 assists in 65 games. The Stars play host to Los Angeles today and the Anaheim Ducks tomorrow.
And speaking of that back-to-back set, it's probably the most critical stretch yet for the Stars, who are closing in on both the trade deadline and the final quarter pole in an absolute logjam of teams in ninth place. Mike Heika takes a look at what it all might mean and how the Stars are preparing for it in this paywalled advance. [DallasNews.com]
Also coming out of Saturday's practice was this amusing interview with Richard Bachman, who got statistical credit for the win Friday because Kari Lehtonen's skate lace snapped. He's already got the scissors sharpened for tonight should the opportunity present itself for a repeat. [Stars Inside Edge]
For those of you interested in the trade rumor mill, the Ottawa Senators have apparently asked about both Derek Roy and Jaromir Jagr but not been involved in any in-depth discussions with the Stars about either. [Fourth Period]
And Stephane Robidas name has been floated a few times, but Heika doesn't believe he's going anywhere. [DallasNews.com]
Stephen is back from Europe and recaps the Texas Stars win behind a big effort from Jack Campbell. [Hundred Degree Hockey]
The St. Louis Blues are the team one point ahead of the rabid pack tied for ninth at the moment, and they made a move to try and strengthen their inconsistent lineup Saturday by trading a pair of draft picks for Jordan Leopold of the Buffalo Sabres. [St. Louis Blues]
Also potentially joining the trade market - Ryane Clowe of the San Jose Sharks, who has apparently been asked to waive his no-trade clause. Clowe is struggling to say the least this year, but there are still some teams out there (hello Bruins) who have been going after every winger with past success. [Puck Daddy]
The wheel o' justice has struck again, with Nate Thompson of the Tampa Bay Lightning losing two games for an illegal check to the head of New Jersey's Matt D'Agostini. I would still love to see a video on why Martin Hanzal's hit on Jamie Benn didn't garner anything if this (properly, IMO) is two games, but I'm just gonna have to let that go eventually...[NHL.com]
I'm far from the biggest Sidney Crosby fan in the world, though I acknowledge his ridiculous skill level. But even if I feel bad when a player takes a puck in the teeth and has to go through oral surgery. Um, ow. [ESPN]
More on Jagr's 1,000th assist, because it's really just that awesome. Also, bonus draft footage with the mullet at it's most awesome.